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The goal of this Practicum is to provide students with a solid understanding of the federal courts, decision-making and the role of the law clerk. Although the Seminar topics may vary semester from semester, issues discussed in the seminar have included: the role of the law clerk, opinion drafting, federal procedure, selection of judges, the Judicial Canon of Ethics and ethical considerations, the role of ideology in decision-making, judicial misconduct, and sentencing and the Sentencing Guidelines. In addition to weekly assigned readings, the class reads and discusses Judge Richard Posner's book, The Federal Courts. In addition, students work 12 to 15 hours a week as law clerk externs for Federal District Court Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Court of Appeals Judges. Working under the close supervision of the judges and their law clerks, students conduct research and draft memoranda and opinions. In addition, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the work of federal judges, students participate in the work of chambers and observe courtroom proceedings. Students maintain reflective journals about their field placement experiences and class discussions and respond each week to assigned questions designed to raise issues important to the Practicum. The journal is read and graded in two installments and each installment of the journal accounts for one-third of the course's grade. Students are required to make a substantive presentation to the class on a topic approved by the Professor that relates to the federal judiciary. This presentation and weekly class participation accounts for one-third of the course's grade. Successful compliance with the externship requirements and the expectations of the Judge are essential. Summer 2010 section 1 will be offered remotely.